Substitution and Complementarity in the Creation and Communication of Australian University Research

The generation of research is one of the major functions of the University sector. In most disciplines, journal articles continue to be the main outlet for the communication of research findings. However, in Australia, government induced distortions have rewarded refereed conference papers an equal status to refereed journal papers. The aim of this paper is to explore the association between research published in journals and research published in conference proceedings. We use a panel dataset of the research output of 36 Australian universities, for the period 1995-2004. Cobb-Douglas research production functions are estimated, as well as a system of research production functions that allows for simultaneity. The results indicate that journals and conferences are contemporaneous substitutes – an expansion in conference publications displaces journal publications. There is also a “DEST effect”. On average, conference papers are not converted into subsequent journal papers. The DEST effect is found also through analysis of the publication histories of 152 business and law academics. Post-graduate enrollments are shown to contribute only to conferences and have no effect on journal publications. Research income has a positive effect on both conferences and journal publications.Journals, conferences, DEST effect, research production functions, Australian

Bibliometric modelling and policy making

Bibliometric methods for analysing and describing research output have been in existence and usage for over half a century. This has been supported internationally by the establishment and operations of organisations such as the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and the continual release and calculations of journal lists, bibliometric indicators and rankings. More recently bibliometric analyses have responded to the changes posed by the growing field of Internet publishing by incorporating some electronic versions of journals. Policy makers in Australia have been relying on such bibliometric information and analyses in making funding decisions and encouraging the development of research potential and strengths. This raises a number of concerns. Does bibliometric modelling of research productivity reflect the real impact research has for Australia's future? Is the electronic word in all its varieties overpowering the printed word? Is the grey literature as important as the officially recognised prestigious publications? Are the expectations policy makers, policy executives and managers draw from bibliometric modelling justified? The paper attempts to provide some answers to these questions based on a study of three Australian research centres in the field of the geosciences. The analysis reveals a number of anomalies in the generalisations made when ISI models are used for policy decisions

ALIA LIS research environmental scan report

Executive summary: An environmental scan of Australian Library and Information Studies (LIS) research was undertaken focusing on the period 2005–2013. This was in response to a brief from ALIA that sought such an analysis to inform its decisions in relation to content of a future research agenda, support, advocacy, and future funding. The investigation was expected to include research priorities of other library and information organisations, topics of research undertaken in Australia, types of research, persons/organisations undertaking research, and how research activities are funded, communicated and applied. The report took into account: research priorities of LIS professional associations both within and outside Australia production of higher degree theses over the period publication by practitioners and academics in both Australian and international publications and grant or other support for research or investigatory projects. METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATIONS: Methodologies employed included: Website analysis for research priorities of LIS organisations Database searching using Trove for higher degree theses Database searching using multiple databases for publications In the case of research in progress and resourcing via grants, methods employed were database searching, consultation and by survey methods The limitations in these approaches are explained in each related Section or Appendix. However, the major limitations were: Poor response to the online survey despite its wide dissemination through ALIA and other associations Inconsistent responses to individual surveys directed specifically at academic departments Coverage of publications by databases, particularly of material outside periodicals Difficulties in categorising document

Research communication for immediate impact: climate adaptation in Australia

Abstract Research into climate change adaptation is challenged by funding organisations to demonstrate immediate research impact through near term reference in sector- specific communication and policy documents. Critically, research funded to inform decision makers and current policy about adapting to climate change must engage with end users and implement communication initiatives that lead to research adoption. Moreover, researchers need to better understand the components that contribute to effective engagement and communication to plan successful strategies to engage with the range of vulnerable sectors affected by climate change. Given the importance of research application, Primary Investigators for National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) funded projects had to consider end user engagement and communication. This paper identifies some common factors in three NCCARF cases which successfully demonstrated swift access to climate adaptation research in three sectors; human health, emergency management, and settlements and infrastructure. Early and ongoing engagement between researchers and the intended knowledge users shaped both the research focus and output formats. Stakeholders involved in coordinated and sustained communication programs disseminated and promoted the research through multiple channels. These agents of dissemination included; funders (NCCARF, universities and industry bodies); information users (government agencies and professional bodies), and both mass media and social media

An exploratory study into the impact of NACCQ Research

This paper reports the findings of a preliminary investigation into the impact of research within the New Zealand National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ) sector. Using a strategy based predominantly upon keyword search of academic reference databases, the study found that NACCQ projects and publications are beginning to be cited in diverse outlets, and are now making a contribution to the international literature in the computing disciplines. The study and its findings are briefly reviewed and the outlets in which NACCQ research has been cited are tabulated. This paper establishes the first profile of international citations for NACCQ research and provides a replicable baseline for subsequent studies into the impact of research originating in the sector

Trans-Pacific doctoral success – A collaborative cohort model

The San Jose Gateway PhD program is a doctoral partnership between the School of Information at San Jose State University (SJSU) in the USA, and the Information Systems School at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia. Because of Californian legislation, SJSU has not been able to offer PhD degrees. The Gateway Program therefore provides a research pathway for SJSU’s coursework students. It also helps the School to grow the research capacity of academic staff. For QUT, the Program provides the opportunity to advance research agendas and to build strong international connections and partnerships. The Program began in 2008. It is a distance-delivered cohort-based scheme with new students commencing in August of each year. All students are enrolled as part-time students in QUT’s Doctor of Philosophy. Each student is assigned supervisors from both universities. In addition to individual and group supervisory meetings, all students and supervisors meet in a virtual meeting space once a month. The online monthly meetings are supplemented by two residential events each year: (i) a one week face to face residential in August at San Jose State University, and (ii) an online residential in March. This paper will critically reflect upon this unique Program, which has led to high quality research outcomes, rapid completions, and noteworthy graduate employments. Critical consideration of the challenges and future proofing of the approach will also be explored

The propagation of technology management taxonomies for evaluating investments in information systems

To provide managers with a critical insight into the management of new technology, this paper uses a case study research strategy to examine the technology management experiences of a leading UK manufacturing organization during its adoption of a vendor-supplied Manufacturing Resource Planning information system.<br /